EarlyMusicNews.Org

Anthony R. Brazier and Wm Neil Roberts -- "We have been building harpsichords and other early keyboard instruments professionally since 1976 during which time we have built over 117 instruments and repaired or restored countless dozens of other instruments owned by private individuals, colleges, schools and churches.

As Associates of the The Paris Workshop of Early Keyboard Instruments, we offer the same line of instruments that are available there. Their parts are pulled from the shelves and shipped to us for assembly, decoration and final action work. As professional performers ourselves, we have always taken great care to complete an instrument that satisfies the professional musician and the discriminating amateur. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 24, 2008 | Hits: 370

Harpsichord Maker. "The Associate in Japan of Atelier Marc Ducornet, Sole Japanese agent of The Paris Workshop". Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 24, 2008 | Hits: 408

"In the heart of London, The Harpsichord Workshop provides a complete service for the harpsichord player, offering a range of instruments to suit specific requirements, and working with the world's leading players.

We Hire and Tune instruments for concerts, recordings and rehearsals, as well as providing long-term hire for such purposes as opera seasons and tours.

We can also loan instruments for use in the home, for practice or while awaiting delivery of a new instrument. Our collection includes fine harpsichords by makes such as Michael Johnson, Bruce Kennedy and Andrew Garlick, including double-manual French, German and Flemish instruments; single manual Italian harpsichords; and Flemish and Italian virginals.

At the Harpsichord Workshop we can provide a Full Repair Service from general regulation to major restoration.

We can Advise on the Purchase of new instruments from a variety of makers, and sometimes have second hand ones available for immediate sale. "

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Tags: Mark Ransom

Added on: Feb 24, 2008 | Hits: 367

"John Phillips Harpsichords is a small shop which produces four to six high quality instruments per year. We offer models based on French, Flemish, German, and Italian instruments. We also service and mend harpsichords and provide concert and recording rentals and tunings. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 24, 2008 | Hits: 357

"Former maker of Franco-Flemish and Italian harpsichords and English virginals. ... MAINTENANCE SERVICE AVAILABLE — Europe & beyond. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 24, 2008 | Hits: 387

"What are the advantages our workshop can offer to you? They are a combination of skills that result in beautiful and practical keyboard instruments. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 24, 2008 | Hits: 337

"Richard Kingston has produced over 300 instruments, all grounded in the best of the styles and techniques of the historic makers. Kingston and his instruments have been featured in articles published in Southern Living and Southern Accents magazines. The Best Report surveyed harpsichord makers and ranked the work of Richard Kingston with the top few of all extant makers. He has lectured on harpsichord construction techniques and styles, has served on numerous workshop faculties and has been the subject of an interview by the award-winning radio news magazine All Things Considered broadcast by National Public Radio. In 1991, Richard Kingston received the Spivey Award for Excellence in Instrument Building. The jurors were unanimous in their decision to award him top honors. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 24, 2008 | Hits: 405

"Kennedy Harpsichords is a small workshop in Tuscany, Italy building harpsichords and clavichords after 17th and 18th Century historical models.

Our instruments can be found throughout the world and heard on more than 100 recordings. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 24, 2008 | Hits: 432

"After years of playing in school and community bands and orchestras, Paul Irvin was introduced to Bach, Baroque and the harpsichord while studying in college. Soon after receiving his B.A. in chemistry in 1969, he built his first harpsichord from a kit. Dissatisfaction with a second kit caused him to abandon it to begin researching the historical harpsichord. This study resulted in instruments of his own design, based on historical principles. Word-of-mouth demand turned his hobby into a career of custom designing harpsichords and clavichords, a career now in its twenty-third year. ...

We are committed to providing the finest quality Early Keyboard Instruments and professional Service. As you explore this site we hope you find it an informative and enjoyable way to learn more about us and the world of early keyboard instruments. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 24, 2008 | Hits: 457

"I have been involved in the making of harpsichords since 1976, coming to the craft from a period of time in an organ-building workshop, which followed an earlier musical training at college and university, where I specialised in early keyboard studies.

I am primarily self-taught as a harpsichord maker, and my experience has led me to offer the range of instruments that you will find detailed here.

In order to cope with the practical needs of musicians, the compass of some of my instruments has been extended, and all have the capability to transpose once, or twice if required. These practical alterations sometimes necessitate a slight widening of the keywell, or enlargement of the case – nonetheless, historical practice is closely followed and respected at all times in the design, the choice of materials and the decoration of all of my instruments. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 24, 2008 | Hits: 437

"Colin has been a harpsichordist and harpsichord-maker for more than 30 years.

He has sold around 300 instruments worldwide, and can point to an unusually large proportion of these sales, to Early Music professionals, and harpsichordists in particular. The playing qualities of his instruments have an edge over those of many makers, due to his sensitivity as a player, to touch and response. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 24, 2008 | Hits: 426

"Our company, founded in 1975, has specialized from the very beginning in the production and restoration of historical musical instruments. After many years of rich experiences and considerable investments in structure, R&D and market surveys, BIZZI has developped a new idea that in the last few years has placed the company in a significant position among the most qualified manufacturers of historical keyboard instruments.

Some prestigious initiatives, carried out in the years 70s and 80s, like the restoration of the Collections of the Museo del Teatro alla Scala in Milan and the Museo Correr in Venice, as well as the foundation of the Scuola di Liuteria of Milan, have allowed Bizzi to acquire the indispensable know-how and background for the launch a new project which would have required about ten years before being completed.

The goal was the establishment of a new company based on the same manufacturing principles of the greatest harpsichord makers of the past, and particularly the Ruckers dinasty, which is a unique example of high quality combined with great efficiency and incredible productivity. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 24, 2008 | Hits: 391

"I have been a professional builder and restorer of harpsichords, fortepianos and harps since 1978, and since then my instruments have found homes in the USA, Canada and Australia as well as more locally in this country. Much of my work is producing copies of some of the fine antique instruments that have survived the years of neglect since the end of the Baroque era. I also enjoy the challenge of designing an instrument to a certain specification and historical models will almost certainly influence this.

A finished instrument may use up to twelve types of wood and the same number of animal products. Holly, pear, ebony, boxwood, lime and spruce are all chosen for their particular qualities, while raven and crow-quills, buffalo hide, hog's bristles, play their part too.

I build every part of the instrument myself including the case with it's inlay and marquetry, the keyboards and action which are made up of several hundred parts and the final stringing, tuning and setting up. From start to finish an instrument takes many months to complete. From the first careful selection of the timber every consideration is aimed to produce a reliable and beautifully toned instrument that could become the heirloom of the future. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 24, 2008 | Hits: 355

"Following an initial training in modern piano technology Lucy Coad completed a three year apprenticeship with conservator Tim Hamilton specialising in the conservation and restoration of historical pianofortes. In response to the growing need to conserve and repair surviving instruments in private and public ownership, Lucy later chose to further specialise in square pianos. This led to the establishment of Lucy Coad Square Piano Conservation and Repair in London in 1985, later moving to our current location between Bristol and Bath. Our work ranges from the making of a single string through to the complete rebuilding of structurally failed instruments. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 24, 2008 | Hits: 347

"I came to the mechanical trades after studying music at Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore. In Boston, I took a diploma in piano technology under Bill Garlick and earned guild qualification as a tuning examiner. Since 1985 I have built 100+ fortepianos after Walter, Hofmann and Graf. My list of clients includes many fine players and institutions.

After some years in Amsterdam, I came to the Czech Republic in 1995. I found that various woods grown in the Czech Republic resembled those seen in old Viennese pianos.In fact it was written in 1823 that Conrad Graf preferred to get his soundboards from the Schwarzenberg Forest in Southern Bohemia, and indeed there is still the narrow Schwarzenberg Canal leading from the headwaters of the Moldau all the way to the Danube. A man who selects wood for violin makers chooses my logs from this forest.

My workshop is well equipped. In my own work I follow the information I have collected during museum research and restoration, most particularly preserving the measurements of soundboard and hammer mechanism. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 24, 2008 | Hits: 516

" Adam J. Decker has been serving the needs of harpsichord enthusiasts for 15 years in the Southeast. He formed Early Keyboards of Atlanta out of a growing desire to see the harpsichord's popularity reach a new zenith here in the South. Through constant interaction with universities, baroque ensembles, churches and individuals he has maintained a steady clientele of both new and repeat customers. From simple adjustments to complete technical rebuilding he is able to meet whatever early keyboard need you may have. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 03, 2008 | Hits: 459

"I offer harpsichords and other early keyboard instruments which are based on historic instruments. My philosophy is to follow the original design and materials very closely, obtaining details from drawings, literature and personal studies of instruments in museums and private collections. The only exceptions I make are to add certain features to make the instruments less susceptible to changes in temperature and humidity and to add features at a customer’s request. Customised features include the ability to play in modern pitch (A=440) and/or baroque pitch (A=415), extended compass and decoration.

My background is in engineering and I find this an enormous help in understanding and making instruments; after all, instrument making is basically engineering in wood! " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 03, 2008 | Hits: 456

"A comprehensive service for players and owners of harpsichords, clavichords & early pianos
• Tools, spares & accessories by mail order including the CTS-5 electronic tuner
• New harpsichords by Andrew Wooderson
• New clavichords by Edmund Handy
• Secondhand instruments for sale
• Harpsichord hire for concerts, recordings, festivals & tours
• Repairs & restorations
• Tuning & maintenance • Professional, friendly advice
• Specialist advice for educational establishments

Added on: Mar 03, 2008 | Hits: 415

"I first established myself as a harpsichord maker in 1980 (in Western Canada) and began making Harpsichords, Virginals, Spinets and Clavichords. In the late 1980’s I added Viennese Forte-Pianos to my repertoire. I also undertake restorations, renovations and repairs of early stringed keyboard instruments. Since moving to North Yorkshire my work has focused almost exclusively on restoration of early pianos, mostly Viennese Forte-Pianos.

I am a former academic (BA, MA - Alta, Can.: PhD -- London) and I have an early background in cabinet making and carpentry (my father was a cabinet maker). I studied early stringed keyboard instrument construction and design at the London College of Furniture (1977-80) and spent a further year (1984-85) as a Canada Council Fellow researching and drawing original instruments in Britain and on the continent.

All the instruments that I build are individually hand crafted, built along traditional lines and made from traditional woods and they are all based on historical models. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 03, 2008 | Hits: 365

"I have been making instruments since 1982, and began making harpsichords in 1988. I make them in my own workshop in North London and though I do use machines, I make a point of working as much as possible by hand.

I want my harpsichords to be high quality, reliable instruments, but not to look mass produced. I want them to feel human, and to have my fingerprint on them; for this reason I also make my own jacks and do my own soundboard painting. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 03, 2008 | Hits: 450

"Darryl Martin was born and initially educated in Perth, Western Australia, before moving to Britain (to become a full-time instrument maker) in 1986. Since 1989 he has been based in Edinburgh. Initially trained as a musical instrument maker, specialising in early keyboard instruments, he then pursued a more academic approach to instrument research and commenced a PhD on the subject of English virginals – a thesis which looked at all aspects of the instrument from a design, construction and decorative point-of-view. He was awarded his PhD by the University of Edinburgh in 2003.

Since 1990 Darryl has been involved with the Edinburgh University Collection of Historic Musical Instruments (EUCHMI), initially making technical drawings of a number of instruments and then writing catalogues, which has now amounted to all of the plucked and bowed Western instruments in the Collection. In 2004 he was appointed to the position of Curator of the Musical Instrument Collections. The Collections include the non-keyboard Donaldson Collection housed (mostly) at the Reid Concert Hall, and the keyboard collections at St Cecilia’s Hall, including the Russell and Mirrey Collections. Darryl regularly gives papers at international conferences and has been widely published in British and foreign journals. Present research work includes a transcription and edition of the “Talbot Manuscript” – a seventeenth century source which discusses musical instruments that were known and used in England. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 03, 2008 | Hits: 576

"Carl Rennoldson was born in Loughborough in 1946. His early training was in traditional cabinetmaking, learning the trade at the bench under the supervision of an established craftsman. The workshop, with connections going back to the old London firm of George Betjemann & Sons, made luxury items of furniture and special commissions. Later he attended Shoreditch Teacher Training College at Egham, Surrey, obtaining a Cert.Ed., with distinction, in Craft, Design and Technology. It was during this period that he made his first harpsichord, a large double manual instrument in the style of Kirkman.

ince 1983 he has been running his own furniture making and antiques restoration business and for 20 years taught antique furniture restoration for the Kent Adult Education Service. His interest in music comes from an early introduction to the violin, which he still plays. In 1993 he decided to further pursue his interest in early keyboard instruments and enrolled at London Guildhall University graduating with a B.Sc.(Hons) First Class in Musical Instrument Technology.

Specialising in French, Flemish and Italian keyboard instruments from the early 16th century to the early 18th century, designs are based on museum drawings of original instruments with some minor adjustments to compass and disposition in order to accommodate the preferences of individual customers.

Great care is taken to source and select appropriate materials with particular attention given to constructional refinements ensuring an even touch and responsive action. The detailed casework and decoration perhaps reflect his early training and long association with the art of woodworking. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 04, 2008 | Hits: 390

"My main field of interest is the study of the history, construction, design and functions of harpsichords, virginals, spinets, organs and fortepianos from the period of their first construction to the period around 1820.

Much of my time is spent in the restoration of early keyboard instruments and in the construction of historically-based harpsichords and virginals. In addition I have been involved in consultations with private and public institutions and individuals throughout Western Europe concerning the authenticity and restoration of early keyboard instruments from the historical period.

In the past I have devoted a great deal of time and study to the harpsichords and virginals built by the Ruckers family in Antwerp. But my main field of interest at the moment is the study of Italian keyboard instruments and, in particular, the study of the use of the local unit of measurement in their design and construction. Hence I am also deeply involved in historical metrology and have now collated one of the most extensive data bases of the lengths of the various local units of measurements used in the various centres and regions of the Italian peninsula (see: Geometry and the Unit of Measurement). The two main regions of interest are the sixteenth-century instruments made in Venice and in Naples. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 04, 2008 | Hits: 445

" Early Keyboard Instruments - for more than forty years we have made early keyboard instruments based on original 18th century instruments and constructed under the direction of John Morley. Instruments are built using traditional techniques and materials including Bavarian pine soundboards, English sycamore or beech bridges and wrestplanks combined with the highest quality of craftsmanship to produce the quality and tone which ensures the continuing success of John Morley instruments. London's largest stock of classical keyboards " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 05, 2008 | Hits: 410

"I provide a service of harpsichord and fortepiano hire for concerts, recordings, rehearsals and tours.

Tuning of hire instruments, or your own instrument, for events in any location and to any temperament specified.

Transport of modern or antique instruments by road to any location in the UK or Europe.

I can also provide advice for people wishing to buy or sell new or second-hand instruments, or with any aspect of looking after early keyboard instruments. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 05, 2008 | Hits: 425